Justice Undermined: The Courts Service IT Bug Scandal

In a revelation that has shaken public confidence in the UK justice system, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) stands accused of covering up a serious IT bug that caused vital evidence to go missing, be overwritten, or obscured from view in court proceedings. The implications are staggering—not just for the integrity of individual cases, but for the credibility of the entire judicial process.

What Went Wrong?

The bug was embedded in the case-management software used across civil, family, and tribunal courts—known as Judicial Case Manager, MyHMCTS, or CCD. This software is the digital backbone of modern court operations, used by judges, lawyers, case workers, and even members of the public to manage and track case files.

But instead of streamlining justice, the system silently failed:

• Evidence vanished from digital case files, including medical records and contact details.

• Judges ruled on cases without knowing key documents were missing.

• Warnings were ignored for years, despite internal reports and whistleblower concerns.

The Cover-Up Allegations

According to leaked documents and whistleblower accounts, HMCTS leadership became aware of the bug as early as 2019 but chose not to inform stakeholders. The rationale? Alerting judges and lawyers might “cause more harm than good.” Instead, they quietly attempted to patch the system behind the scenes.

Former Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk expressed deep concern, stating the issue was “unbelievably serious” and likening it to the Horizon Post Office scandal. He revealed that the internal report reached senior HMCTS leadership in March 2024—while he was in office—but was never brought to his attention.

Real-World Impact

The bug’s reach extended across:

• Social Security and Child Support Tribunals (most affected)

• Family courts, including child custody cases

• Divorce, probate, and employment tribunals

Sir James Munby, former head of the High Court Family Division, warned that “these hearings often decide the fate of people’s lives.” A missing document could mean the difference between a child being removed from an unsafe environment or a vulnerable person losing access to benefits.

What Happens Next?

HMCTS maintains that no case outcomes were affected, citing internal investigations and system fail-safes. But critics argue that the scope of the review was limited and that the public deserves transparency and accountability.

The Liberal Democrats have called for a full independent investigation, demanding the government implement a duty of candour for public officials to prevent future cover-ups.

Final Thoughts

This scandal isn’t just about a software glitch—it’s about trust. In a system where justice hinges on complete and accurate information, even a small error can have life-altering consequences. The alleged decision to conceal the bug rather than confront it head-on raises urgent questions about leadership, ethics, and the future of digital justice.